National park · Switzerland
Swiss National ParkSchweizerischer Nationalpark
Visit Swiss National Park for a day hike – e.g., Macun lakes (hard, 6‑8 h) or Tropchun valley (easy, 2‑3 h); entry free, hut stay CHF 30; go June‑Sept for best weather.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
174 km² (67 sq mi)67 sq mi (174 km²)
approximate
Established
1914
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is in the Schengen area but not the EU: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Switzerland ↗Switzerland is outside the EU customs area: allowances on meat, alcohol and tobacco are strict and checked at borders.
- Switzerland ↗Motorways need a vignette (sticker or e-vignette) before you drive on them.
At a glance
- Country
- Switzerland
- Area
- 174 km² (67 sq mi)67 sq mi (174 km²)
- 174.2 km² total area (land only, no water bodies); figures may vary by source – check.
- Established
- 1914
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
Swiss National Park, the country’s sole national park, is a strict nature reserve in the Alps. It protects pristine alpine ecosystems and offers marked day‑hikes ranging from gentle valley walks to high‑altitude ridge routes, all under strict conservation rules.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1914.
Size and age
174 km² (67 sq mi)67 sq mi (174 km²) · national park since 1914
174.2 km² total area (land only, no water bodies); figures may vary by source – check.
Why go
- Switzerland's only national park, a strict nature reserve with untouched Alpine ecosystems.
- Numerous marked day‑hikes ranging from easy valley walks to high‑altitude ridge routes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine ibex, chamois, golden eagles, marmotsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Alpine flora (edelweiss, gentians)May–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Zurich
Train to Zernez (approx. 3 h), then local bus or walk to the park entrance.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Zernez (by car)
Park at Parking P1, P3 or P6‑P8 near the visitor centre.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Zernez Visitor Centre | Information desk, maps, trailheads for all marked routes. | Open daily, free. |
| Chamanna Cluozza hut area | Only accommodation inside the park, basic dormitory style. | Reservation required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the park; trailheads are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamanna Cluozza hut stay (overnight) | CHF 30 (≈ US$40) | person | Price includes basic accommodation; sleeping bag rental extra (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Stay on marked paths
- Leaving trails is prohibited to protect fragile ecosystems.
- No fires or camping outside designated hut
- Only Chamanna Cluozza hut may be used for overnight stays.
- No dogs
- Dogs are forbidden even on a leash.
- No collection of plants or animals
- All flora and fauna are protected.
- No drones
- Drone use is not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
In the park
Chamanna Cluozza hut
Simple dormitory rooms; sleeping bags required; reservations online.
Near the park
Camping CUL
Campground at the park’s edge, river side, basic facilities.
Safety
Altitude and weather change medium
Getting lost off‑trail high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car and bus; short walks from parking.
- Trails involve steep sections and high altitude; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Follow all park rules; stay on trails and pack out waste.
- Support local accommodation (Chamanna Cluozza) that follows park guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Swiss National Park?
Entry is free; you only pay for accommodation such as the Chamanna Cluozza hut (around CHF 30 per night).
What are the best hikes in Swiss National Park?
Top day‑hikes include the Macun lakes (hard, 6–8 h), Tropchun valley (easy, 2–3 h), and the Champlönch children’s trail (easy, 2.5 h).
When is the best time to visit Swiss National Park?
Summer months (June–September) offer the best weather and full trail access; spring and autumn are also good for fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside the park?
No. Camping is only allowed at the designated Chamanna Cluozza hut or at the nearby Camping CUL site.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Dogs are prohibited throughout the park, even on a leash.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Swiss National Park
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